Improved iron-clad vessel



I No. 38,771. PATENTS-D JUNE 2, 1863.

, L. TEES.

IRONGLAD VESSEL.

PATENT OFFICE.

LEWIS Tens, or PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

' IMPROVED IRONfCLAD VESSEL.

- Specification formingpart of Letters Patent No. 38,771, dated Juno fl, 186th To all whom/it may concern.-

'Be it known that I, Lewis-Tens, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented an Improve-merit in Iron-Glad Vessels; and Ido hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the=same,--referenee being had to the accompanying drawing, and to the'letters of reference marked thereon.

My invention consists i'n'the peculiar construction, fully described hereinafter, of armorp'lated vessels whereby they are enabled to effectually resist the action of rams and at the same time can-be used eii'ectively for shattering the vessels-of an enemy. Owing to the peculiar construction-of the vessel, platingnf much less thickness than usual can be used for resisting the action of shot and slit-ll, the vessel being consequently of lighter draft and admitting of being propelled at a greater speed than ordinary iron-clad war-vessels.

. In er toenableothers skilled in. the as... to make my invention, I will now proceed to describe the manner of constructing the same.

The figure in theannexed drawing, which formsa part of this, specification, represents a transverse section of sufficient of an ironclad vessel to illustrate my improvement.

' A represents aportion of the spar-deck of the 'vess'el, B being the'gun-deck, O the berthdeek, and D the ribs. 7 From the point a on V the spar-deck to the point]; the vessel has an der side of the beams of the same deck, for a,

purpose described hereinafter, the breadth of the vessel being greatest at this line.

' Massive angular bars, E, of wrought-iron,

aresecured by means of suitable bolts to this most prominent edge. of the vessel, the bars being extended entirely round thevessel, and

being tipped with steel, which is properlytenr peredand reduced to a sharp cutting-edge, I).

From the point a, which coincides with the edge of the spar-deck, to the steel edge I), and from this edge to the point d, the vessel is covered with wrought-iron plates three inches thick, the spar-deck being covered with plat es about one inchin thickness. d

It should be understood that the frame of the vessel is properly strengthened by knees,

stays, braces, 800., which it has not been deemed necessaryto illustrate in the drawing.

The advan tage of the prominent steel-tipped edge extending roundthe vessel is that it permits the vessel to be used as a most formidable ram against an enemys warships, and

is itself rainproof, as no ordinary vessel could h r sel i'sa flat-surface presentedfor resisting the direct action of shot or shell,

which must necessarily glance off, whether the vessel be struck at points above or" below the prominent steel-tipped edge :1).

Much lighter defensive armor can therefore be -used than is requisite forxvessels having perpendicular sides, or'sides varying but slightly from the perpendicular, as in some of the recently-constructed iron-clad ships.

ltjwiil be evident that m'y'improved vessels,

having a less weight of armor to carry, can be made ef-lighter draft, can be propelled at a f greater speed, and can beQ-made more seaworthy than ordinary plated vessels.

I Although I'have illustrated the frame of the vessel as made of wood, the ribs. and deckbeams, in fact the entire structure, may be made of iron. V

- I claim as'my, invention, and desire to secure y Letters Patent The combination of the prominent steels tipped edge I), the inclined portion of the yessel from the said edge to the spar-deolrA, and

the inclined or curved portion from the edge btoa point below the water-line, the 'whole being arranged in respect to the gundeck B as set forth, for the purpose specified.

In tesimony whereof I have-signed my name to thisspecification in the presence of two sub scribin g witnesses. I

Witnesses: LEWIS TEES.

JOHN OLoUns, I. R. DEAQON. 

